The United Arab Emirates, a melting pot of cultures and traditions, offers a unique blend of experiences during its public holidays. As we look ahead to 2024, let’s explore how both Emiratis and expats make the most of their time off, and discover the innovative startups that are transforming the holiday landscape in this dynamic country.
UAE Public Holidays 2024: Mark Your Calendars
Plan your year with this comprehensive list of UAE public holidays for 2024:
- New Year’s Day: January 1
- Eid Al Fitr: April 9-11 (dates may vary)
- Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha: June 15-18 (dates may vary)
- Islamic New Year: July 7
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: September 15
- Commemoration Day: November 30
- UAE National Day: December 2-3
Note: Islamic holiday dates are subject to moon sighting and may change.
UAE Public Holidays Explained
New Year’s Day: This holiday, celebrated on 1 January, marks the Gregorian calendar year. It is celebrated with fireworks, primarily at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, in the UAE.
Eid Al Fitr: A three-day joyous festival that signals an end to Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Family reunions, feasting, and charity donations are typical during this holiday.
Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha: The Day of Arafat is the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah; the next three days feature the celebrations of Eid Al Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” It is a four-day holiday that honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
Islamic New Year: Hijri New Year is the celebration of the first day of Muharram in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a time for the Muslim community to reflect and remember.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: This signifies the day that the founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, was born. Observations usually consist of religious lectures and reciting poems, with the sharing of food.
Commemoration Day: This replaced the name Martyr’s Day, a day celebrating the lives of the Emiratis who died in the service and line of duty for the UAE.
UAE National Day: A two-day break to mark the day UAE attained formation in 1971. Expect a week of lavish processions, fireworks, and shows of pride by people across the seven emirates.
Knowing these UAE holidays shall help residents and visitors plan their activities and behave accordingly during these important 2024 dates.
Traditional Emirati Holiday Celebrations
Public holidays are all about culture and religiousness to local Emiratis. It is a time to spend with family, and there are huge feasts of traditional Emirati food such as machboos, luqaimat, and various types of camel meat dishes. Many families visit heritage sites or go to cultural events to reconnect with their rich history.
They also offer prayers at mosques during religious holidays like Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. Further to this, they practice another activity of gift-giving and donating to charity. In general, the atmosphere is one of giving and togetherness.in charitable activities. The spirit of giving and community is palpable during these times.
Expat Holiday Experiences: A Fusion of Cultures
Expats in the UAE often use public holidays as an opportunity to explore the country’s diverse landscapes and attractions. Popular destinations include:
- Dubai’s iconic skyline and beaches
- Abu Dhabi’s cultural district on Saadiyat Island
- The serene beaches of Ras Al Khaimah
- The mountainous terrain of Fujairah
Many expats also use this time to blend their home country traditions with local customs, creating a unique multicultural holiday experience. International food festivals and cultural exchange events have become increasingly popular, allowing both locals and expats to share and appreciate diverse holiday traditions.
Emerging Trends: Eco-Friendly and Adventure-Packed Holidays
Sustainable Tourism
As environmental awareness grows, both Emiratis and expats are gravitating towards eco-friendly holiday options. Sustainable desert camps, wildlife conservation experiences, and green city tours are gaining traction.
Adventure Tourism
For the adventure enthusiasts, the UAE’s diverse terrain offers a playground of possibilities:
- Dune bashing in the desert
- Skydiving over Palm Jumeirah
- Hiking in the Hajar Mountains
- Scuba diving in Fujairah
Startups Revolutionizing UAE Holidays
The UAE’s booming startup ecosystem is playing a significant role in reshaping how residents spend their holidays. Here are some innovative companies making waves:
Holiday Swap UAE
A vacation exchange and booking platform that allows users to swap homes for staycations, providing unique local experiences. The platform operates globally with over 120,000 listed properties, including around 1,200 in the UAE. It is enhancing its platform with AI and blockchain capabilities.
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YallaMarket
An e-commerce startup launched in 2021, YallaMarket promises to deliver groceries within 15 minutes, addressing the need for quick, hassle-free shopping. This service is tailored to meet the fast-paced lifestyle of its customers in Dubai.
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GrubTech
Founded in 2019, GrubTech offers a comprehensive SaaS platform for restaurants and cloud kitchens. It integrates various online and in-store ordering channels, streamlining operations and enhancing fulfillment processes with AI-driven data analysis.
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Sarwa
A fintech startup providing an innovative wealth management platform. Sarwa combines robo-advisory services with personalized financial planning, making investing accessible and affordable for everyone.
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Read more: Sarwa Digital Wealth Faces $390k in Fines from DFSA and FSRA
Foloosi
Launched in 2018, Foloosi offers a range of payment solutions tailored for SMEs, including a digital payment gateway, payment links, and QR codes. It has secured partnerships with major financial institutions like Visa.
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Huspy
Founded in 2020, Huspy aims to simplify the complex journey to homeownership by providing a platform that facilitates access to mortgage loans from major UAE banks, making the process more transparent and accessible.
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Zenda
A fintech startup founded in 2021, Zenda is revolutionizing the way families manage and pay for school fees, offering a convenient and rewarding approach to educational expenses with flexible payment options.
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These startups are not only providing novel ways to spend holidays but are also contributing to the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for innovation and tourism.
Read more on CrunchDubai:
Making the Most of Your UAE Public Holidays in 2024
To truly experience the best of what the UAE has to offer during public holidays, consider these tips:
- Plan ahead: UAE residents often travel during holidays, so book accommodations and activities early.
- Embrace local customs: Participate in traditional Emirati activities to deepen your understanding of the local culture.
- Explore beyond the cities: Venture into the lesser-known emirates for a more authentic experience.
- Try something new: Use startups to discover unique experiences you wouldn’t find in typical tourist guides.
- Respect cultural sensitivities: During religious holidays, be mindful of local customs and dress codes.
The Economic Impact of Public Holidays
Public holidays bring in a good shot in the arm for the UAE economy, especially the tourism and retail sectors. Shopping festivals like Dubai Shopping Festival and Abu Dhabi Shopping Season are strategically organised during holidays to attract more and more local and international shoppers.
The hospitality sector has its own frenzy during these periods, too, with special staycation packages coming into effect in hotels to help residents get a quick fix for a break.
Looking Ahead: The Future of UAE Holidays
As the UAE continues to evolve, so too will its holiday traditions. The blend of time-honored customs and modern innovations creates a unique holiday landscape that reflects the country’s forward-thinking yet culturally rooted ethos.
Whether you’re an Emirati preserving cherished traditions, an expat exploring a new culture, or an entrepreneur shaping future holiday experiences, the UAE’s public holidays offer something for everyone. As we look to 2024 and beyond, one thing is certain: celebrating in the UAE will continue to be an unparalleled experience, rich in diversity and innovation.
